Clamping mechanism



Nov. 4-, 1941. J. N. MATTHEWS 2,261,557

CLAMPING MECHANISM Original Filed April 17, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet l N V.4, 1941- J. N. MATTHEWS 2,261,557

CLAMPING MECHANISM Original Filed April 17, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 25Fig-.7.

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(Ittorneg 1941- J. N. MATTHEWS CLAMPING MECHANISM Original Filed April17, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jig-.11.

Zhwentor Gttorneg Patented Nov. 4, 1941 2,261,557 CLAMPING MECHANISMJoseph N. Matthews, Lakewood, Ohio Original application April 17, 1937,Serial No.

135,525. Divided and this application Decemher 5, 1938, Serial N0.243,925

7 Claims.

This invention relates to clamping devices for clamping tarpaulins whenpositioned over and around hatches and the covers therefor. The devicesembodying my invention are particularly applicable for hatches on boats,for example ore boats and the like, where each hatch occupies a largearea to accommodate material handling apparatus and accordingly thetarpaulin, on account of the size thereof required to cover and enclosethe hatch, is readily loosened by winds unless securely clamped inposition.

The application is a division of my application filed April 1'7, 1937,Serial No, 135,525, now matured into Patent No. 2,176,915, dated October24, 1939.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved device ofrelatively simple construction for clamping a tarpaulin in position overa hatch in a ready manner.

Another object is to give a seaman protection while working on deck byproviding an improved clamping device which, when the tarpaulins havebeen removed, will be in an out of the way position, whereby danger ofthe seaman stumbling or falling is eliminated.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved devices forclamping and holding a tarpaulin in enclosing position over a hatch andthe covers therefor, so constructed and mounted that the clampingelement of each device may be readily operated into and out of clampingposition.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in theart to which my invention relates from the following description takenin connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is afragmentary plan view of a boat showing three hatches disposedtransversely thereof.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section on the line construction, parts being insectionand broken away.

Fig. 10 is a View, partly in section, of another modified form ofconstruction shown in position.

Fig. 11 is a section on the line I l-H of Fig. 10.

In the drawings, I indicates as an entirety a portion of a boat of theore carrying type, the deck 2 thereof having transversely disposedhatches 3; three hatches being shown. The hatches herein shown consistof openings 2a through the deck 2 and side walls 3a along the sides andends of the opening, the side walls being preferably reinforced by anangle 5. Each hatch 3 is closed by two series of covers 4 extending fromthe center of th hatch outwardly to the ends thereof. When in closedposition, the outer edge and depending flanges of the inner coveroverlap the inner edge and depending flanges of the adjacent cover andthe latter and succeeding covers (except the end one) are similarlyrelated to the adjacent covers, respectively. To open the hatch thecovers 4 of each series are slid into a superposed relation with respectto the outer or end cover and suitably supported on the deck.

6 indicates the tarpaulin which is stretched over the hatch covers 4 andangles 5, as shown in the upper portion of Fig. 1, with its marginalside and end portions clamped to or against the side walls 3:1 by aplurality of clamping mechanisms, each indicated as an entirety at l.The mechanisms! are spaced along the side walls of the sides and ends ofeach hatch, their clamping elements 1' being arranged to engage andclamp a bar or batten 8, which is preferably' formed of wood and extendssubstantially from end to end ofeach side wall. As will be understoodfrom Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the adjacent marginal edge of the tarpaulin 6 isclamped between the bar 8 and side wall 311, such edge being doubled onitself, as shown, when its size makes this doubling over necessary.

Each clamping mechanism 1 consists of a supporting member, a clampingdevice la, for engaging the bar 8 and through it clamping the tarpaulinin position and a separate clamping device 1b, operable as later setforth to engage that portion of the tarpaulin which extends over thehatch covers. These devices are constructed in a manner, whereby eitherdevice may be operated independently of the other.

The supporting member indicated as an entirety at 9, may be supported inoperative relation to a hatch, that. is, on the deck 2 or side wall. 3a

of the hatch. In the illustrated form of construction the member 9 is bypreference, arranged to be mounted on the side wall of the hatch toeliminate obstructions on the deck; and this arrangement is advantageousas in my improved construction none of the parts of the mechanism engagethe deck when the hatch covers and tarpaulin are removed. Accordingly,the member 9 is shaped to provide at its lower inner end flanges H),which may be bolted or riveted to the adjacent side walls 3a, anoutwardly extending wall H on which the bar 8 may rest while beingclamped and an up-standing member I2, these parts being formedintegrally. The member [2 is formed with an opening l3 through it, theinner wall 14 of the opening being disposed vertically and its rear walll5 being inclined downwardly and inwardly so as to receive and.accommodate a wedge l6, for a purpose later set forth. The wall 14 isformed with a horizontally disposed opening I? to slidably receive ashank I8, which carries at its inner end a clamping element 1'. Theouter end of the shank [8 extends into the opening l3 for engagement bythe wedge IS. The clamping element 1' extends laterally to either sideof the shank l8 to provide a wide clamping surface to engage the bar 8and also walls arranged to be engaged by the bifurcated ends l9 of asuitable tool 20. The tool ends 19 are connected by a bar 2| which isadapted to removably engage a seat 22 provided on the upper end of thewall 14, the bar thereby serving as a fulcrum, so that when the tool isoperated to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6, the clampingelement 1 will be operated into final position, that is, with the bar 8clamped against the adjacent side wall 3a with the marginal edge of thetarpaulin secured to the latter wall, and while the element is held inthis position by the tool 20, the wedge l6 may be dropped into theopening I3 behind and in engagement with the outer end of the shank l8to hold the clamping element (Kin its operated position, as shown inFig. 2. The wedge I6, when positioned, may be hit with a hammer or otherdevice to frictionally secure it in position in the opening I3, that is,between and in engagement with the wall l5 and inner end of the shankl8; and as its lower end is accessible, the wedge may be loosened by ablow thereon. One side wall of the opening I3 is formed with a threadedopening into and through which a screw |6x extends, so that after thewedge I6 is positioned, the screw I69: may be turned to cause its innerend to engage the wedge and thus lock it in position. The upper end ofthe wedge is provided with a bail lBa or other device to facilitate itsremoval and handling.

The separate device 1b comprises an arm 23 arranged to engage thatportion of the tarpaulin extending over the adjacent hatch cover and adepending portion or leg 24 terminating in a rod 25, which removably andslidably fits a recess 26, of similar shape in cross section, formed inthe up-standing member l2, outwardly of the opening I3. The rod 25 andthe recess 26 therefor are preferably round so that the device may beswung to an inoperative position parallel to the side wall 30. when notin use (see Fig. 5). The rod 25 is movable endwise in the recess 26 andguided by the walls thereof when the device 11) is operated to clamp thetarpaulin, as well as when the device is being moved or rotated to itsinoperative position, as later set forth.

The clamping device it is locked or secured to the supporting member 9by means indicated as an entirety at 21, to effect a clamping engagementof the arm 23 with the tarpaulin. The securing means 21 comprise a pairof links 21a disposed upon opposite sides of the member 9 and pivoted onthe ends of a pin or shaft 28 mounted in an opening 28a formed in thethickened portion of the wall l2, the links being connected at theirfree ends by a cross bar 29, preferably integrally therewith. The bar 29is formed with a threaded opening 30 in which is mounted a screw 3|, thefree or inner end of which, when the screw is rotated, is adapted to beprojected into a notch or recess 32 formed in the arm 23, and whentightened, the screw serves to rigidly connect the devices Ia, 7b,together and clamp the arm 23 against the hatch cover 4, as shown inFigs. 2 and 3.

The outer end of the screw 3| is provided with a suitable head or device33, whereby it may be effectively operated to clamp the arm 23 againstthe tarpaulin, the slidable relation between the rod 25 and its recess26 permitting movement of the arm 23 by the endwise movement of thescrew. Upon disengagement of the securing means 21, the clamping device1b may be removed or rotated into an inoperative position, for example,into a position wherein the arm 23 is parallel to the side wall 3a (seeFig. 5), when the hatch is to be opened as shown in Fig. 1. Formaintaining the device 1b in this position, the upper end of the recess26 is formed with off-sets 26a (see Fig. 8) and the upper end of the rod25 is provided with lugs 25a (see Fig. 7), complementary to the oil-sets26a, and arranged to seat therein to lock the device 1b in thispredetermined position. When the clamping device 1b is disposed in itsinoperative position, as just referred to, the securing links are swunginto a position similar to that shown in Fig. 6. The arm 23 may beformed with an opening 23a to receive the wedge l6 when it is not in useor while the clamping element 1' is being operated by the tool 20.

It will be noted that when the tarpaulin is in position, the arm 23engages therewith to clamp it against the hatch covers which rest uponthe upper end of the adjacent wall 3a. Also, since the clamping devicelb is adjustably related to the supporting member 9, its arm, instead ofbeing clamped to the tarpaulin as shown in Fig. 2, may be clamped uponthe end of a channel or cross bar 4a (see Fig. 1) and operatetherethrough to secure the tarpaulin in position.

Fig. 9 illustrates a modified form of construction wherein the wedgereceiving opening, indicated at I3 is arranged rearwardly of the recess,indicated at 26', which receives the supporting rod 25 for thesupplemental clamping device. In this arrangement the recess 26' extendsvertically and the links, indicated at 21 of the securing means, arepivotally mounted inwardly of the recess 26 so that the application ofpressure or force by means of the screw, indicated at 3|, is transmittedsubstantially axially of the recess 26' and at right angles to thecovers 4f Referring to Figs. 10 and 11, which illustrate anotherembodiment of the invention, 31-indicates a supporting member suitablysecured to the hatch side wall 3a and having an up-standing wall 31a,which is (a) formed with a guide way 38 to receive the shank 39 of aclamping element 39a, the latter in turn being arranged to operatethrough the batten 8 to clamp the tarpaulin 6 against the side wall 3a,(b) an opening-40 to receive a wedge 4| and (c) a recess 42 to removablyand slidably and rotatably receive the supporting rod 43 of a hatchcover clamping device 44. 45 indicates a device pivotally supported onthe wall 31a for operating the clamping element 39a into clampingposition, whereby the wedge 4i may be positioned in the opening 45 inengagement with the outer end of the shank 39 as shown in Fig. 10,thereby securing the clamping element 39a in operated position. Theoperating device 45 comprises a cam 45a and an arm 451) which may begrasped by an operative (for example, a deck-hand) and swung inwardlywhich operation will cause the cam to engage the lateral, rearwardlyextending side walls 39a of the clamping element 39a and. move thelatter into clamping position, following which a wedge 41 is inserted inthe opening 40. After the wedge 4| is positioned to lock the clampingelement 39a in position, as above set forth the operating device 45 maybe swung clockwise (as viewed in Fig. to an inoperative position.Thereafter, the clamping device 44 is positioned on the supportingmember 31; that is, its rod 43 is inserted in the recess 42 with theouter end of the device 44 disposed above that portion of the tarpaulinextending over the hatch covers 4; the device 45 is then swung back to aposition whereby the screw 46 may engage the device 44, and whentightened, as shown in Fig. 10, secure the device in clamped engagementwith the tarpaulin.

The device 45 is substantially U shaped the side members or legs of thedevice being pivoted on stud shafts 41 extending from the opposite sidesof the wall 37a. As shown, one shaft 41 is threaded into an openingformed in the wall 31a to permit assembly of the device 45. In this formof construction, two cams 45a are provided to engage with the oppositeends of the clamping element 39a to operate it, the device straddles theouter end of the clamping device 44 and the screw 46 is mounted in andextends through a threaded opening formed in that portion of the devicewhich connects the legs together, so that the applied force resultingfrom the tightening of the screw 46, to rigidly secure the clampingdevice 44 in position, is a plane between the legs of the U-device.

The cover clamping device 44 may be removed at will Without affectingthe clamping of the tarpaulin by the batten or it may be released fromits operated position and swung about the axis of the recess 42 to aninoperative position, that is, in a position substantially parallel tothe adjacent hatch side wall 311. For this latter purpose, the rod 43 isprovided with an interlock 43a which fits an oiT-set in the recess 42(not shown), to prevent the device, when moved to its inoperativeposition, from swinging outwardly and becoming a hazard. The device 44is released by loosening the screw 46 and swinging the device 45 to theposition shown in dotted lines in Fig. 10. To unclamp the tarpaulin asharp blow may be imparted to the lower end of the wedge. This operationwill be facilitated if the device 45. is operated and the cams 45abrought into engagement with the opposite ends of the clamping element39a and the latter held thereby while the wedge is removed.

To those skilled in the art to which my invention relates many changesin construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of theinvention will suggest themselves without departing from'the spirit andscope thereof. My disclosures and the description herein are purelyillustrativev and not intended to be in any sense limiting.

What I claim is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a supportingmember adapted to be secured in operative relation to the side wall of ahatch and formed with a substantially vertical recess, a clamping devicehaving a rod slidably mounted in said recess and arranged to move in adirection substantially parallel to the side wall, and means carried bysaid member for connecting said clamping device thereto, said meansincluding an element arranged to effect clamping engagement of saiddevice with the cover or tarpaulin 0f the hatch.

2. In a device of the classdescribed, the combination of a supportingmember adapted to be secured to the side wall of a hatch andiormed witha substantially vertical recess, a clamping device arranged to engagethat portion of the.

tarpaulin lying over the hatch cover and provided at its outer end witha depending rod slidably mounted in said recess and arranged to guidesaid device in a direction substantially parallel to the hatch sidewall, a link pivoted on said member and provided, at its outer end withan adjustable device arranged to engage said clamping device for movingit into clamping engagement with the tarpaulin.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said adjustable device engagessaid clamping device at a point inwardly of its outer end beyond saidrod.

4. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said rod and said member areprovided with interlocking elements for securing said rod in apredetermined inoperative position.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a supportingmember adapted to be secured in operative relation to the side wall of ahatch and formed with a substantially vertical recess, a clamping devicecomprising a substantially L-shaped member one end portion of whichslidably and rotatably fits into said recess and the other end portionof which is arranged, when in one position, to extend over the top ofthe hatch, an element pivoted at one end on said supporting member andprovided at its opposite end with an operating device arranged todetachably engage said member and secure it in clamping position.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said element consists of aU-shaped member straddling said L -shaped member the free ends of saidU-shaped member being pivoted to opposite sides of said supportingmember to permit the other end thereof to swing into position over saidL- shaped member, and said operating device being carried by said otherend of the U-shaped member.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination of a supportingmember adapted to be secured in operative relation to the side wall of ahatch and formed with a substantially vertical recess, a clamping devicecomprising a substantially L-shaped member one end portion of whichslidably and rotatably fits into said recess and the other end portionof which is arranged, when in one position, to extend over the top ofthe hatch, an element pivoted at one end on said supportingmemberinwardly of said recess and provided at its opposite end with anoperating device arranged to detachably engage said member and secure itin clamping position.

JOSEPH N. MATTHEWS.

